Hey Amarillo

A conversation with Tremaine Brown of Shi-Lee's Barbecue and Soul Food Cafe. During the pandemic, Tremaine prepared and gave out nearly 90,000 free lunches to local kids. Then he picked up tens of thousands of pounds of trash from north Amarillo neighborhoods. His activism and generosity aren't new, but 2020 offered him an unprecedented opportunity to serve the city he calls home. In this episode, Tremaine shares with host Jason Boyett about his career, his restaurant, and his pursuit of social justice. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative.

A conversation with Dallas Bell, owner and operator of Burrowing Owl Books, an independent bookstore with two locations. She and her family arrived here from North Carolina when her husband accepted a pediatrics position with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Three years ago, they opened their first bookstore on the Square in Canyon, and recently expanded to Amarillo. Dallas speaks with host Jason Boyett about local entrepreneurship, living near Palo Duro Canyon, the power of books and much more. This episode is sponsored by Pesttex and Bivins Pointe.

A conversation with Jason Herrick, president of Pantera Energy Company and president of the political action committee Amarillo Matters. An Amarillo native, Jason's lived and worked in Europe before he returned to lead his family's oil and gas company. He shares with host Jason Boyett about his career and his ongoing volunteer efforts with opportunities that impact Amarillo's future, like the Texas Tech vet school and the Civic Center bond campaign. This episode is sponsored by Wieck Realty and Shemen Dental.

A conversation with Nikki Green of Two for the Road, the PBS travel and adventure show she created and cohosts with her husband, Dusty. Nikki tells host Jason Boyett about growing up in Claude, quitting her orthodontic career in her 30s to travel the world, and how COVID-19 has impacted production of their show, which just released its fourth season. Nikki also shares how she and Dusty split production responsibilities and navigate the stress of travel as a married couple. This episode is sponsored by Blue Handle Publishing.

A conversation with Jason Barrett, owner of The 806 Coffee + Lounge and an active community leader in the San Jacinto neighborhood and 6th Street Historic District. The 806 is a coffee shop and vegetarian restaurant specializing in art and live music—and has had enormous influence since it launch in 2007. With host Jason Boyett, Barrett tells the origin story of The 806, details a few of its early controversies, and explains why he is so passionate about breathing new life into a long-neglected neighborhood. This episode is sponsored by La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.

A conversation with Jasmine Taylor, owner and operator of the new Oh My Fro Lash Co., an online business based in Amarillo. A former 911 dispatcher and college basketball player, Taylor finally launched her business in the middle of the pandemic after years of dreaming and planning. With host Jason Boyett, she shares about the challenges of being a business owner, the state of Black-owned businesses in Amarillo, and why working for herself proved to be the best fit after years of trying to find her place. This episode is sponsored by Bivins Pointe.

A conversation with Dr. Paul Matney, the retired past president of Amarillo College. A longtime educator, Matney spent more than three decades teaching media and communications students at WT and AC—while also serving as a weekend weatherman, a baseball umpire, and the face of AC within the larger community. He shares with host Jason Boyett about the broad scope of his career in education, and why we need to keep an eye on Amarillo's history as we look to the city's future. This episode is sponsored by SKP Creative and Wieck Realty.

A conversation with Melynn Huntley, Elections Administrator for Potter County. With a little over a month before an enormously consequential presidential election, Melynn speaks with host Jason Boyett about her wide-ranging career. How did a former graphic designer end up managing elections—and how will it work during a pandemic? Most importantly, she shares what's on her mind as she coordinates local election equipment, workers, and security in preparation for November 3. This episode is sponsored by Shemen Dental.

A conversation with Teresa Kenedy, president of the Barrio Neighborhood Planning Committee and a retired social worker with Amarillo ISD. Teresa tells host Jason Boyett about growing up as a member of the only Hispanic and Catholic family in a small mountain town. Upon arriving in Amarillo for college, she found a much more robust Hispanic culture—and has since become a community organizer working on behalf of Amarillo's Barrio neighborhood. This episode is sponsored by Blue Handle Publishing and La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.

A conversation with Ali Ramos, a graphic designer and Amarillo native who just graduated with a master's degree in social work from Columbia University. Ali is also a board member for NMD United, a national organization advocating for individuals with neuromuscular disabilities. She shares with host Jason Boyett about growing up with a physical disability, embracing an accidental leadership role in Amarillo, and using her unique perspective to fight injustice. This episode is sponsored by Bivins Pointe.